Yard tracking system

ABSTRACT

A method for identifying and determining the position of rolling stock within a railyard using a system that includes an AEI reader, a plurality of elevated electronic imaging devices and a tracking computer. The rolling stock includes a plurality of railcars and a plurality of locomotives. The method includes recording an identification pattern for each piece of rolling stock as each piece enters the railyard, compiling tracking data of the rolling stock as the rolling stock moves within the railyard using the respective identification patterns, and mapping the position of each piece of rolling stock as the rolling stock moves within the railyard.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/258,520, filed Dec. 28, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to railyards, and moreparticularly to determining the location of rolling stock, includingrailcars and locomotives, within a railyard.

[0003] Railyards are the hubs of railroad transportation systems.Therefore, railyards perform many services, for example, freightorigination, interchange and termination, locomotive storage andmaintenance, assembly and inspection of new trains, servicing of trainsrunning through the facility, inspection and maintenance of railcars,and railcar storage. The various services in a railyard compete forresources such as personnel, equipment, and space in various facilitiesso that managing the entire railyard efficiently is a complex operation.

[0004] The railroads in general recognize that yard management taskswould benefit from the use of management tools based on optimizationprinciples. Such tools use a current yard status and a list of tasks tobe accomplished to determine an optimum order in which to accomplishthese tasks.

[0005] However, any management system relies on credible and timely dataconcerning the present state of the system under management. In mostrailyards, the current data entry technology is a mixture of manual andautomated methods. For example, automated equipment identification (AEI)readers and AEI computers determine the location of rolling stock atpoints in the sequence of operations, but in general, this informationlimits knowledge of rolling stock whereabouts to at most the moment atwhich the rolling stock arrived, the moment at which the rolling stockpasses the AEI reader, and the moment at which the rolling stockdeparts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one aspect, a method is provided for identifying anddetermining the position of rolling stock within a railyard using asystem that includes an AEI reader, a plurality of elevated electronicimaging devices and a tracking computer. The rolling stock includes aplurality of railcars and a plurality of locomotives. The methodincludes recording an identification pattern for each piece of rollingstock as each piece enters the railyard, compiling tracking data of therolling stock as the rolling stock moves within the railyard using therespective identification patterns, and mapping the position of eachpiece of rolling stock as the rolling stock moves within the railyard.

[0007] In another aspect, a system is provided for identifying anddetermining the position of rolling stock within a railyard. The systemincludes an AEI reader, an AEI computer, a plurality of elevatedelectronic imaging devices, and a tracking computer. The rolling stockincludes a plurality of railcars and a plurality of locomotives. Thesystem is configured to record an identifier unique to each piece ofrolling stock as each piece of rolling stock enters the railyard,compile tracking data of the rolling stock as the rolling stock moveswithin the railyard using respective identification patterns, and mapthe position of each piece of rolling stock as the rolling stock moveswithin the railyard.

[0008] In another aspect, a system is provided for identifying anddetermining the position of movable components within a yard. The systemincludes an AEI reader, an AEI computer, a plurality of elevatedelectronic imaging devices, and a tracking computer. The system isconfigured to record an identifier unique to an AEI tag attached to arespective movable component as each tagged component enters the yard,compile tracking data of the tagged movable components as the taggedcomponents move within the yard using identification patterns, and mapthe position of each tagged movable component as the tagged componentmoves within the yard.

[0009] In a further aspect, a method is provided for tracking rollingstock within a railyard using a system that includes an AEI reader, aplurality of elevated electronic imaging devices, and a trackingcomputer. The rolling stock includes a plurality of railcars and aplurality of locomotives. The method includes uniquely identifying eachpiece of rolling stock as it enters the railyard using AEI readers atall yard entrances and exits, correlating each piece of the identifiedrolling stock with an image using an elevated electronic imaging device,tracking incremental movements of the images using tracking algorithmsin the tracking computer while maintaining the correlation with theunique rolling stock identifier, and performing handoff from oneelevated electronic imaging device to another electronic imaging devicethrough position and shape correlation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a schematic of a system for tracking the position ofrolling stock within a railyard in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a diagram of a railyard for illustrating the variousareas of the railyard that rolling stock pass through during railyardprocessing and are tracked using the system shown in FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a schematic of a server system for tracking rollingstock in a railyard, used in conjunction with the system shown in FIG.1.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a system for tracking the position ofmovable components within an organizational and processing area inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic of a system 10 for determining the positionof rolling stock within a railyard in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. System 10 includes an automated equipmentidentification (AEI) reader 14, a AEI computer 18, a plurality ofelevated electronic imaging device 22, and a tracking computer 26.Tracking computer 26 includes a processor 30 suitable to execute allfunctions of tracking computer 26 and an electronic storage device 34for storing programs, information and data. Additionally, trackingcomputer 26 is connected to a display 38 for viewing information, dataand graphical representations of the railyard, and a dispatcherinterface 42 that allows a dispatcher to input information and data totracking computer 26, for example a keyboard or a mouse.

[0015] Each piece of rolling stock in a train consist, for example eachrailcar and each locomotive, has an Automated Equipment Identificationtag (not shown) attached. The AEI tag includes information that uniquelyidentifies the piece of rolling stock to which it is attached. As atrain consist enters a railyard each piece of rolling stock passes AEIreader 14. As each piece of rolling stock passes AEI reader 14, reader14 collects the identification information from each AEI tag, therebyidentifying each piece of rolling stock that passes reader 14. In anexemplary embodiment, the AEI tag contains coded information and AEIreader is a backscatter transponder. However, the AEI tag and AEI reader14 are not limited to utilizing backscatter technology and any otherinformation recording and tracking equipment is applicable, for example,a tag containing printed information and a reader utilizing opticalcharacter recognition technology.

[0016] Reader 14 is connected to an AEI computer 18 and after readingthe AEI tag for a piece of rolling stock, reader 14 communicates theidentification information to AEI computer 18. AEI computer 18 processesthe identification information creating AEI data and communicates theAEI data to tracking computer 26 located at a remote site. In anexemplary embodiment, system 10 positions one elevated electronicimaging device 22 at an entrance to the railyard. Such electronicimaging devices are well known in the art. Other embodiments arepossible where more than one elevated electronic imaging device 22 ispositioned at the railyard entrance. In the exemplary embodiment, aseach piece of rolling stock passes AEI reader 14 and AEI reader 14records identification information from the AEI tag, entrance imagingdevice 22 simultaneously captures a video image of the respective pieceof rolling stock. Entrance imaging device 22 is connected to trackingcomputer 26, as are all other elevated electronic imaging device 22.After a master video image is captured the image is communicated totracking computer 26. Tracking computer 26 correlates, links, and/orpairs, the AEI data with the related video image for each piece ofrolling stock. The video image, AEI data, and correlations are thenstored in electronic memory device 34.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a diagram of a railyard layout for illustratingparticular railyard activities for which the yard tracking system shownin FIG. 1 is utilized. A railyard includes various sets of tracksdedicated to specific uses and functions. For example, an incoming trainarrives in a receiving yard 50 and is assigned a specific receivingtrack. Then at some later time, a switch engine enters the track andmoves the railcars into a classification area, or bowl, 54. The tracksin classification yard 54 are likewise assigned to hold specific blocksof railcars being assembled for outbound trains. When a block ofrailcars is completed it is assigned to a specific track in a departureyard 58 reserved for assembling a specific outgoing train. When all theblocks of railcars for the departing train are assembled, one or morelocomotives from a locomotive storage and receiving overflow yard 62will be moved and coupled to the assembled railcars. A railyard alsoincludes a service run through area 66 for servicing railcars, and adiesel shop and service area 70 to service and repair locomotives. Theorganization of yards normally includes a number of throats, orbottlenecks 74, through which all cars involved in the train buildingprocess (TBP) must pass. Throats 74 limit the amount of parallelprocessing possible in a yard, and limit the rate at which the sequenceof train building tasks may occur.

[0018] Additional elevated electronic imaging devices 22 (shown inFIG. 1) are strategically located throughout the railyard. For example,one imaging device 22 is positioned in receiving yard 50, anotherelectronic imaging device 22 is positioned in classification yard 54.Further imaging devices 22 are positioned in departure yard 58, servicerun-through area 66, diesel shop and service area 70 and bottlenecks 74.Railyard elevated imaging devices 22 capture secondary video images ofrolling stock as the rolling stock is processed through the TBP.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, each railyard electronic imaging device 22has a designated viewing area and captures secondary video images of thepieces of rolling stock within that viewing area at a specified dutycycle. Each secondary image is communicated to tracking computer 26,along with an identifier identifying which railyard-imaging device 22communicated the secondary image. Processor 30 then interprets eachimage by executing a pattern recognition and tracking algorithm storedin electronic memory device 34, thereby identifying the piece of rollingstock related to each secondary video image and the location within therailyard of the piece of rolling stock. The pattern recognitionalgorithm defines the shape of the piece of rolling stock as viewed byelectronic imaging device 22 as it passes by AEI reader 14. This processmay be augmented by using the AEI data to access a known railcar andlocomotive database such as the Umler database and correlating thestored shape of the railcar or locomotive with that scanned by imagingdevice 22. As the piece of rolling stock progresses through the yard, anincremental tracking algorithm initially based on this stored shape isused whereby each small movement of said rolling stock is used toregister the revised shape of the particular piece of rolling stock. Inthis manner, changes in orientation and illumination are continuouslycompensated. Multiple imaging devices 22 are arranged such that a regionof overlapping coverage exists between each adjacent pair. Trackingcomputer 26 stores the physical locations associated with the pictureelements within the field of view of each imaging device 22 such thathandoff may be performed for a given piece or rolling stock based onspatial and pattern correlation between adjacent pairs of imagingdevices 22.

[0020] After each piece of rolling stock is identified for eachsecondary video image, processor 30 executes a mapping program thatresides on storage device 34. The mapping program computes coordinatesfor each identified piece of rolling stock, and plots the coordinates ona graphical representation of the railyard displayed as an electronicmap viewed on display 38. The graphical representation identifies eachpiece of rolling stock by the identification number of each piece. Sincesecondary video images are captured and rolling stock identifiedrepetitiously based on the duty cycle, a dispatcher views an up to dategraphical representation depicting the location of each piece of rollingstock within the railyard during the train building process. In analternate embodiment, the results of the tracking process are displayedon a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system (not shown).

[0021] In another alternate embodiment, system 10 includes a railyardmanagement information system (MIS) (not shown) that includes auxiliarydata and information relevant to the TBP, such as train identifiers anddestination identifiers. The auxiliary data supplied by the MIS is usedto cross reference rolling stock with the train and/or destinationidentifiers. Utilizing the train and destination identifiers, system 10displays rolling stock with the same train and/or destinationidentifiers as trains.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a schematic of a server system 100 for tracking rollingstock in a railyard, used in conjunction with system 10 (shown in FIG.1). In an alternate embodiment, tracking computer 26 (shown in FIG. 1)is part of a computer network accessible using the Internet. Serversystem 100 is an automated system that includes a server 114 and aplurality of client systems 118 connected to server 114. In oneembodiment, client systems 118 include a computer (not shown), such astracking computer 26 (shown in FIG. 1), including a web server, acentral processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), an outputdevice, for example a monitor, a mass storage device, and an inputdevice, for example a keyboard or a mouse. In an alternative embodiment,client systems 118 are servers for a network of customer devices.

[0023] Server 114 is accessible to client systems 118 via the Internet.Client systems 118 are interconnected to server 114 through manyinterfaces including dial-in-connections, cable modems, specialhigh-speed ISDN lines, and networks, such as local area networks (LANs)or wide area networks (WANs). In one embodiment, client systems 118include any client system capable of interconnecting to the Internetincluding a web-based phone or other web-based movable equipment. Server114 is also connected to mass storage device 122. Mass storage device122 is accessible by potential users through client systems 118.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a flow chart 200 of a system for tracking the positionof movable components within an organizational and processing area inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In anotherexemplary embodiment, tracking system 10 (shown in FIG. 1) and serversystem 100 (shown in FIG. 3) are used to track the position of movablecomponents other than rolling stock within a railyard. For examplesystem 10 and system 100 are used to track the position of trailer carsand the over-the-road trucks used to transport the trailer cars within atruck yard.

[0025] Each movable component has an AEI tag containing information thatuniquely identifies the movable component to which it is attached. As amovable component enters 202 an organizational and processing area eachmovable component passes 204 an AEI reader. As each movable componentpasses the AEI reader, the reader collects 206 the identificationinformation from each AEI tag, thereby collecting an identifier uniqueto each movable component. The reader is connected to an AEI computerthat processes 208 the identification information creating AEI data andcommunicates 210 the data to a tracking computer located at a remotesite. As each movable component passes the AEI reader, an entranceelectronic imaging device simultaneously captures 212 a master videoimage of the respective movable component. After a master video image iscaptured it is communicated 214 to the tracking computer. The trackingcomputer correlates 216 the AEI data with the related master video imagefor each movable component. The master video image, AEI data, andcorrelations are then stored 218 in the tracking computer.

[0026] Additional elevated electronic imaging devices are strategicallylocated throughout the organizational and processing yard. At aspecified duty cycle, the additional elevated electronic imaging devicescapture 220 secondary video images of the movable components as thecomponents are processed through the organizational and processing yard.Each secondary image is communicated 222 to the tracking computer, alongwith an identifier identifying which imaging device communicated thesecondary image. The images are then interpreted 224 using a patternrecognition and tracking algorithm stored in the tracking computer,thereby identifying the movable component related to each secondaryvideo image. Therefore, secondary video images are captured, transferredto the tracking computer, and interpreted repetitiously based on theselected duty cycle.

[0027] After each movable component is identified for each secondaryvideo image, the tracking computer executes 226 a mapping program. Themapping program computes 228 coordinates for each identified movablecomponent, and plots 230 the coordinates on a graphical representationof the organizational and processing yard viewed on a display connectedto the tracking computer. Since secondary video images are captured andeach movable component identified repetitiously based on the duty cycle,a dispatcher views 232 an up to date graphical representation of thelocation of each movable component within the organizational andprocessing yard during the processing of the movable components.

[0028] While the invention has been described in terms of variousspecific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that theinvention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scopeof the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for identifying and determining aposition of rolling stock within a railyard using a system that includesan AEI reader, a plurality of elevated electronic imaging devices and atracking computer, the rolling stock including a plurality of railcarsand a plurality of locomotives, said method comprising: recording anidentification pattern for each piece of rolling stock as each pieceenters the railyard; compiling tracking data of the rolling stock as therolling stock moves within the railyard using the respectiveidentification patterns; and mapping the position of each piece ofrolling stock as the rolling stock moves within the railyard.
 2. Amethod in accordance with claim 1 wherein an AEI tag is coupled to eachpiece of rolling stock, recording an identifier comprising: positioningat least one of the elevated electronic imaging devices such thatrolling stock may be viewed with the at least one elevated electronicimaging device as the rolling stock enters the railyard; and collectingdata from each AEI tag using the AEI reader as each piece of rollingstock enters the railyard.
 3. A method in accordance with claim 2further comprising: processing AEI data for each piece of rolling stockusing an AEI computer; and capturing a video image of each piece ofrolling stock as the AEI data from each AEI tag is collected.
 4. Amethod in accordance with claim 3 wherein the tracking computer includesa processor and an electronic storage device, the tracking computerconnected to a display and a dispatcher interface, said method furthercomprising: transmitting each video image from the at least oneelectronic imaging device to the tracking computer; and communicatingthe processed AEI data for each piece of rolling stock from the AEIcomputer to the tracking computer.
 5. A method in accordance with claim4 further comprising: correlating the AEI data for each piece of rollingstock with the video image that was captured using the trackingcomputer; and storing the master video image, the AEI data, and thecorrelation data for each piece of rolling stock in the electronicstorage device.
 6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein compilingtracking data comprises: positioning elevated electronic imaging devicesat a plurality of selected locations within the railyard; capturing avideo image of each piece of rolling stock throughout the railyard usingthe elevated electronic imaging devices, each of the elevated electronicimaging devices capturing the video images of the rolling stock; andrepeating the capturing of video images at a specific duty cycle.
 7. Amethod in accordance with claim 6 wherein a pattern recognition andtracking algorithm is stored on the electronic storage device andexecutable by the processor, said method further comprising:communicating video images from the elevated electronic imaging devicesto the tracking computer each time a video image is captured; andinterpreting the secondary video images with the pattern recognition andtracking algorithm.
 8. A method in accordance with claim 7 furthercomprising: correlating the interpreted video images to video imagesstored within the computer; and identifying each piece of rolling stockusing the correlations.
 9. A method in accordance with claim 8 furthercomprising: determining the location of each piece of identified rollingstock utilizing the recognition and tracking algorithm each time a pieceof rolling stock is identified; and storing the location of each pieceof rolling stock in the electronic storage device each time the locationis determined.
 10. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein a mappingprogram is stored on the electronic storage device and executed by theprocessor, mapping the position of the rolling stock comprises:computing mapping coordinates of each piece of rolling stock using themapping program each time the location is determined; and graphicallydisplaying the location of each piece of rolling stock on the displayeach time the mapping coordinates are computed.
 11. A system foridentifying and determining a position of rolling stock within arailyard comprising an AEI reader, an AEI computer, a plurality ofelevated electronic imaging devices and a tracking computer, the rollingstock including a plurality of railcars and a plurality of locomotives,said system configured to: record an identifier unique to each piece ofrolling stock as each piece of rolling stock enters the railyard;compile tracking data of the rolling stock as the rolling stock moveswithin the railyard using respective identification patterns; and mapthe position of each piece of rolling stock as the rolling stock moveswithin the railyard.
 12. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein anAEI tag is coupled to each piece of rolling stock to record anidentifier, said system further configured to: position at least one ofsaid elevated electronic imaging devices such that the rolling stock maybe viewed with said at least one electronic imaging device as therolling stock enters the railyard; and collect AEI data from each saidAEI tag using said AEI reader as each piece of rolling stock enters therailyard.
 13. A system in accordance with claim 12 wherein said systemfurther configured to: process AEI data for each piece of rolling stockusing said AEI computer; and capture a video image of each piece ofrolling stock while collecting AEI data from each AEI tag.
 14. A systemin accordance with claim 13 wherein the tracking computer comprises aprocessor and an electronic storage device, said tracking computerconnected to a display and a dispatcher interface, said trackingcomputer configured to record an identification pattern, said systemfurther configured to: communicate said video image from said at leastone electronic imaging device positioned to view rolling stock as therolling stock enters the railyard to said tracking computer; andcommunicate said processed AEI data for each piece of rolling stock fromsaid AEI computer to said tracking computer.
 15. A system in accordancewith claim 14 wherein said system further configured to: correlate saidAEI data for each piece of rolling stock with said video image capturedusing said tracking computer; and store the video image, the AEI data,and the correlation data for each piece of rolling stock in saidelectronic storage device.
 16. A system in accordance with claim 11wherein to compile tracking data, said system further configured to:capture a video image of each piece of rolling stock throughout therailyard using said elevated electronic imaging device, each saidelevated electronic imaging device capturing video images of the rollingstock within the view of the respective said elevated electronic imagingdevice; and repeat capturing of said video images at a specific dutycycle.
 17. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein a patternrecognition and tracking algorithm is stored on said electronic storagedevice and executable by said processor, said system further configuredto: communicate said video images from said electronic imaging devicesto said tracking computer each time said video image is captured; andinterpret said video images using said pattern recognition and trackingalgorithm each time said video images are communicated to said trackingcomputer.
 18. A system in accordance with claim 17 wherein said systemfurther configured to: compare said interpreted video images to saidstored video images each time said video images are interpreted; andidentify each piece of rolling stock using said stored correlations. 19.A system in accordance with claim 18 wherein said system furtherconfigured to: determine a location of each piece of identified rollingstock utilizing the recognition and tracking algorithm each time a pieceof rolling stock is identified; and store the location of each piece ofrolling stock in said electronic storage device each time the locationis determined.
 20. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein amapping program is stored on said electronic storage device and executedby said processor, said system further configured to: compute mappingcoordinates of each piece of rolling stock using said mapping programeach time the location is determined; and display graphically thelocation of each piece of rolling stock on said display each time themapping coordinates are computed.
 21. A system for identifying anddetermining a position of movable components within a yard, said systemcomprises an AEI reader, an AEI computer, a plurality of elevatedelectronic imaging devices and a tracking computer, said systemconfigured to: record an identifier unique to an AEI tag attached to arespective movable component as each tagged component enters the yard;compile tracking data of the tagged movable components as the taggedcomponents move within the yard using identification patterns; and mapthe position of each tagged movable component as the tagged componentmoves within the yard.
 22. A system in accordance with claim 21 whereinsaid system further configured to: position at least one of saidelevated electronic imaging devices such that the tagged movablecomponents may be viewed with the at least one electronic imaging deviceas the tagged components enter the yard; and collect AEI data from eachsaid AEI tag using said AEI reader as each tagged movable componententers the yard.
 23. A system in accordance with claim 22 wherein saidsystem further configured to: process AEI data for each tagged movablecomponent using said AEI computer; and capture a video image of eachtagged movable component while collecting AEI data from each AEI tag.24. A system in accordance with claim 23 wherein said tracking computercomprises a processor and an electronic storage device, said trackingcomputer connected to a display and a dispatcher interface, saidtracking computer configured to record an identification pattern, saidsystem further configured to: communicate the video image from said atleast one electronic imaging device positioned to view tagged movablecomponents as the tagged movable components enter the yard to saidtracking computer; and communicate the processed AEI data for eachmovable component from said AEI computer to said tracking computer. 25.A system in accordance with claim 24 wherein said system furtherconfigured to: correlate the AEI data for each movable component withthe video image that was captured using said tracking computer; andstore the video image, the AEI data, and the correlation data for eachtagged movable component in said electronic storage device.
 26. A systemin accordance with claim 21 wherein said system further configured to:capture a video image of each tagged movable component throughout theyard, at least one of said electronic imaging devices capturing videoimages of the movable components within view of the respective camera;and repeat capturing of the video images at a specific duty cycle.
 27. Asystem in accordance with claim 26 wherein a pattern recognition andtracking algorithm is stored on said electronic storage device andexecutable by said processor, said system further configured to:communicate video images from said at least one electronic imagingdevice positioned at selected locations to said tracking computer eachtime the video image is captured; and interpret the video images usingthe pattern recognition and tracking algorithm each time the videoimages are communicated to said tracking computer.
 28. A system inaccordance with claim 27 wherein said system further configured to:compare the interpreted video images to stored master video images eachtime the video images are interpreted; and identify each movablecomponent using the stored correlations.
 29. A system in accordance withclaim 28 wherein to compile tracking data, said system furtherconfigured to: determine a location of each identified tagged componentutilizing the recognition and tracking algorithm each time a taggedcomponent is identified; and store the location of each movablecomponent in said electronic storage device each time the location isdetermined.
 30. A system in accordance with claim 21 wherein a mappingprogram is stored on said electronic storage device and executed by saidprocessor, said system configured to: compute mapping coordinates ofeach movable component using said mapping program each time the locationis determined; and display graphically the location of each movablecomponent on said display each time the mapping coordinates arecomputed.
 31. A method for tracking rolling stock within a railyardusing a system that includes an AEI reader, a plurality of elevatedelectronic imaging devices, and a tracking computer, the rolling stockincluding a plurality of railcars and a plurality of locomotives, saidmethod comprising: uniquely identifying each piece of rolling stock asit enters the railyard using AEI readers at all yard entrances andexits; correlating each piece of the identified rolling stock with animage using an elevated electronic imaging device; tracking incrementalmovements of the images using tracking algorithms in the trackingcomputer while maintaining the correlation with the unique rolling stockidentifier; and performing handoff from one elevated electronic imagingdevice to another electronic imaging device through position and shapecorrelation.
 32. A method in accordance with claim 31 wherein theresults of the tracking process are displayed on an electronic map witheach piece of rolling stock identified with a unique identificationnumber.
 33. A method in accordance with claim 31 wherein the results ofthe tracking process are displayed on a computer aided dispatch (CAD)system.
 34. A method in accordance with claim 31 wherein a databasewhich uniquely maps each piece of rolling stock to a predetermined shapeis used to augment the performance of the tracking algorithm.
 35. Amethod in accordance with claim 34 wherein groups of rolling stock withlike train identifiers are displayed electronically as trains.
 36. Amethod in accordance with claim 34 wherein groups of rolling stock withlike destination identifiers are displayed electronically as trains. 37.A method in accordance with claim 34 wherein groups of rolling stockwith like train identifiers and like destination identifiers aredisplayed electronically as trains.
 38. A method in accordance withclaim 31 wherein auxiliary data supplied by a railyard managementinformation system (MIS) is used to cross reference rolling stock withtrain identifiers.
 39. A method in accordance with claim 31 whereinauxiliary data supplied by a railyard management information system(MIS) is used to cross reference rolling stock with destinationidentifiers.
 40. A method in accordance with claim 31 wherein auxiliarydata supplied by a railyard management information system (MIS) is usedto cross reference rolling stock with train identifiers and destinationidentifiers.